Hae-in Lee (18, Sehwa Girls’ High School), who suffered from frustration, finally reached the top.
Lee Hae-in, who won the gold medal, returned home through Incheon International Airport on the 14th. Lee Hae-in’s expression, standing side by side with ‘figure skating general’ Kim Ye-rim (20, Dankook University), who won the silver medal, showed the confidence of a senior competition winner.
Lee Hae-in took first place (210.84 points) in the women’s singles at the ‘2023 International Skating Union (ISU) Four Continents Championships’ held at Broadmoor World Arena in Springs, Colorado, USA on the 11th (Korean time). The Four Continents Championships is a major competition in which athletes from four continents, excluding Europe, compete.
Lee Hae-in, who finished sixth in the short program (69.13 points), was even more delighted with her thrilling come-from-behind victory with a perfect performance in her free skating (141.71 points). The gold medal won by Lee Hae-in is the first feat achieved by Korean female figure skaters in 14 years since the “Queen of Figure Skating” Kim Yu-na.
Even with the gold medal in hand, Lee Hae-in still couldn’t believe that he had reached the top of the senior competition for the first time, saying, “I wonder if this is real or if I’m dreaming, but I’m glad it’s not a dream.”
Lee Hae-in, who achieved two consecutive victories in the Junior Grand Prix for the first time since Kim Yu-na, was considered the ‘post Kim Yu-na’, but did not live up to expectations in the senior stage.
In the national selection round for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, he missed out on the right to participate in the Olympics by finishing in third place behind Kim Ye-rim and Yoo Young. She was also happy with her silver medal at the Four Continents Championships last year, even with her personal best score (213.52 points). Even at the beginning of this season, she failed to collect her medals, finishing only 4th in both the 1st and 3rd competitions of the Grand Prix.
Despite repeated setbacks, Lee Hae-in did not give up. Lee Hae-in endured difficult times with an ‘unbreakable heart’. The triple axel jump, step sequence and spin greatly improved Lee Hae-in’s acting perfection.
Yuna Kim’s ‘special advice’, which was advised by her side, also raised Lee Hae-in. Lee Hae-in, who returned home in gold, said in front of the reporters, “(Kim) Yuna gave me advice before participating in this competition.” He also pointed out that I didn’t do it. I tried to supplement what Yuna unnie advised me to do.” After listening to Yuna Kim’s advice and making up for her shortcomings, she finally reached the top of the Four Continents Championships.
Lee Hae-in smiled, saying, “I’m glad it’s not a dream,” and revealed a new goal she’s dreaming of with a confident expression. Lee Hae-in also shared her determination and wish, “I want to win a medal at the World Championships (like Yuna’s sister). I will prepare harder and work harder than this time. Only then will I have the chance to win a medal.” 슬롯사이트
Lee Hae-in, who placed seventh at the World Championships last March, is now full of confidence and has big dreams. Next to her is Kim Ye-rim, who fiercely competed for the gold medal at the Four Continents Championships. She, Kim Ye-rim, is also aiming for the world championship.
The 2023 Figure Skating World Championships will be held in Saitama, Japan from the 20th to the 26th of next month. Whether Lee Hae-in will be able to win her world championship medal 10 years after her Kim Yu-na’s rise, as her fans’ expectations are growing.